Fish4Ever and sustainability: it’s complicated: Here at Naturally Good Food we stock a vast range of fish from Fish4Ever. Fish4Ever support only fisheries and fishing practices that are sustainable. They eschew any damaging techniques and promote ethical, sustainable choices at sea and on land, where they are as interested in the ethics of the fishery labour market as they are in the state of mackerel stocks. In short, they campaign for ‘better fishing and a fairer world’. We’re proud to be associated with a company that is trying so hard to keep our environment safe for the next generations – and of course, to stock products that really are delicious and nutritious. Fish is packed with vitamins (B and D, in particular), protein and minerals. Oily fish especially (think sardines, salmon and mackerel), which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, have proven cardiovascular and other health benefits. But even with all these advantages, Fish4Ever are the first to point out that the question of ‘sustainability’ is complicated. In an article for the Soil Association (published on its website here in February 2013), Fish4Ever noted the important difference between ‘sustainably fished’ and ‘sustainable fisheries’. ‘Sustainably fished’ means making sure that when fish and seafood are caught, the eco-system of the sea is not damaged or upset. There should be no huge by-catches or killing of other, unassociated species. There must be no illegal fishing, or fishing in spawning grounds – and there must be a good knowledge of the types of practices and equipment that work best for each type of fish. There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ rule: something that is damaging in one area can be fine elsewhere. Fish4Ever state that following these principles means, in effect, supporting smaller artisan boats and local fishing and packing communities. They have no truck with the ‘global fleets scouring the oceans of the world’. That’s ‘sustainably fished’, then. But ‘sustainable fisheries’ is a different matter: that’s to do with making sure that the fishing industry of a particular country is managed in a sustainable fashion. It mostly revolves around stocks and how they are ‘shared’ between the various countries. Obviously, one decision taken for one type of fish, or for one particular fishery, affects all the others. This co-operation, or lack of it, to manage a common resource, is held together by international and domestic laws – but compliance and control are not always as firmly fixed. Overall, say Fish4Ever, it’s complicated. And as murky as an ocean bottom. The author of the article, Charles Redfern, concludes: ‘We do our best. We try to live with the complexity that is marine sustainability.’ We too, try to stock the best, from the best companies – and we think that Fish4Ever does indeed have the best range of sustainable fish. Take a look at the range, and see how you could help to keep our oceans, and their inhabitants, secure for future generations. Click here to see the full range of Fish4Ever products we stock. The post Fish4Ever and sustainability: it’s complicated appeared first on Naturally Good Food. ift.tt/eA8V8J ift.tt/1HB7Frp December 24, 2014 at 01:38PM
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:53:44 +0000